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OHIO STATE ASSOCIATION 

— os^ — 

MEIiCAS WM{ ¥E¥E^ASS 

IVIT. VEl^piOfl, OHIO, 

THUR8DM AND FRIDAY, MM 8 AND 9, 1890. 



Forty-Fourtlj Anniversary of tlie Battle of *Talo Alto," May 8, 1846. 

REPORTED BY 

GEO. FLIMT, COURT STEINOGRAPHER, 

MT. VERNON, OHIO. 

\^s><v^siiiimiiii>immuininiii 





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-^ROLL CALLOW- 
OHIO STATE ASSOCIATION 

—OIF'— 

Mexisan ^ W Ar{ ^ Veterans, 

Sixteenth Annual Re-union. 



Eia-ia:T-2--Eia-:E3:a? TTiSTE^a^f^niTS ^zEaieaEiiTT. 



HEADQUARTERS, CURTIS HOUSE. 



Headquarters, Mt. Vernon, O., May 8-9, 1890. 



War with Mexico 1846-47. 



First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry — Col. Alexander M. Mitchell. 



Leonard Guth, Priv., Co. F, Sandusky. O. 
Andrew Kline, " " '• Fremont. O. 
John Foltz. " " " McClure, O. 



DeWitt C. Loudon,Q.M.S.,Georg. town,0. 
Chilton A. White, Pr., Co. G., 



Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry — Col. George W. Morgan. 



George W.Morgan, Col. Commanding, Mt. 

Vernon, O. 
James H. Smith, 2nd Lieut. Co. H, (Sec'y 

of he State Association), Newark, O. 
James Anderson, Priv. Co. B , Trilla, 111. 
Milford Stires, Serg. Co, D, Logan, O. 
Samuel Stivison, Priv. Co. D, " 
Dan'l L. Shepard, Cor. Co. E, McClure, O. 
Samuel R.Mott,Bro.of Sutler, St.Marys.O. 
Jesse Headington, Pr.Co.F.Mt.Vernon,0. 



Manley McMullen.Pr. Co. H, Utica, O. 
Edwin Williams, Serg. Co. H, Homer, (). 
Geo.Wolford, Priv. Co. B, Mt. Vernon, O. 
Goo. McClane, Priv. Co. I, Marion, O. 
Samuel Older, Priv. Co. E, Columbus, O. 
Wm. Ambrose, Priv. Co. A, " 

Ed R. Hill,2nd Lieut, Co.F, W. Jefferson, O. 
John N. Bruner, Priv. Co. I, Circleville,< >. 
John Cochran, Priv. Co. B, Howard, O. 
George W. Jones, Brandon, O. 



Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry— Coj^. Samuel R. Curtis 

Nimrod Teaff, Priv.Co.I, Steubenville, O. 
John S. Love, Major, McConnellsville, O. 
Frederick Bartrum, Priv. Co. B, Shreve, O. 
Wm. Smith, 2ndLieut.Co.C, Van Wert, O. 
Samuel Clark, Pr. Co. A, Gambier, O. 
Joseph Sawyer, Pr. Co. B, Coshocton, O. 



Albert H. Brown, Pr. Co..C. Bloomfield,0. 
Samuel Barnes, Pr. Co. G, Norwalk, O. 
Peter W. Weber, Pr. Co. A, Gallon, O. 
Horace L. Stearns, Pr. Co. A, Perryville, . 
Sam'l Parrott, Pr. Co. A, Kansas City, Mo. 
D. W. Rouse, Pr. Co. E, Geneva, O. 



War with Mexico 1847-48. 
Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry — CoL. Charles II. Brough. 



Andrew J. Robertson, Pr. Co. H. (Pres. 

of the State Association), Sidney, O. 
Jacob Faller, Pr. Co. C, Fremont, O. 
Jno. H. Rendigo, Pr. Co. A, Cincinnati, O. 
Jas. Albertson, Pr. Co. G., Millersburg, O. 
James J. Vorhes, Sergeant Co. G, Grand 

Rapids, Ohio. 
Richard L. Brown, Pr.Co. G, Coshocton, 0. 



Charles N. Allen, Pr. Co. I, Coshocton, (>. 
Jacob Shanlaiib, Pr. Co. B, Marion, O. * 
Franklin Dirlam, Pr. Co. C, Clyde, O. 
Mitchell C.Lilk'y,Capt.Co.E,Columbu.'<,«>. 
David W. Henderson, Corp. Co. E, Mary.— 

ville, O. 
James C. Baker, Pr. Co. I, Columbus. O. 



Fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry — Col. William Irvin. 
Chas. Bechtel, Miis., CoG, Mt. Vernon, O. I Geo. Simpkins, Mus. Co. G,Mt. Vernon, O 



Joseph L. McKenzie, Pr. Co. G, Black John Stasel, Pr. Co. B, I^ewark, O. 



Creek, Ohio. 
Henry P.Bennett, Pr. Co. G, Mt. Vernon, O. 
Jesse B. Harrod, Pr. Co. G, oparta, O. 



Geo. Wagner, Pr. Co.G, Fredericktown, O. 
John C. Springer, Pr. Co. E, Fostoria, O. 
Benjamin Brown, Pr. Co. H, Shelby, O. 



Duncan^s Ohio Mounted Volunteers — Capt. Jno. R. Duncan. 



Byron Stanoery, 2ndSerg., Newark, O, 
Daniel C. Darlington, 4th Serg., 
Augustin M. Stewart, Pr., 



Samuel G. Hamilton, Pr., Newark. O. 
George W. Krut.sch, Pr., Delphos, O. 
Jonathan Fisher, Pr. Herring P. O., Ohio. 



United States Mounted Riflemen — Col. Prrsifor F. Smith. 

James W. Downing, Sergeant Co. F, But- | William Higgins, Pr. Co. G, Defiance, 
ler P. O., Ohio. 



Fifteenth Regiment United Stafes Infantry — Col. George \V. Morgan. 



George W.Morgan, Colonel Commanding, 

Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 
Jeremiah K. Webb, Pr. Co. C, O. S. & S. 

Home, Ohio. 
James A. Jones, Capt. Co. C. Norwalk, O. 



Wm. S. Booth, Pr. Co. C, Litchfield, O. 
Isaac Harpster, Lieut. Co. I, Millersburg, O. 
James McNulty, Pr. Co. I, 
Jacob Huth, Pr, Co. H, Delta, O. 
David Rowe, P r. Co. I, Perrysville, O. 



Miscellaneous Comma nds. 

James W. Denver, Capt. Co. H, 12th U. S, L, (Pres. Nat. Ass'n) Wilmington. Ohio. 
Alex. M. Kenaday. Serg. Co. G, 3d U.S.Dragoons (Sec. Nat. A«s'n), Washington, D.C. 
MahlonD.Manson,Capt.Co.I,5thInd.V.I,(lstV.Pre.s.Nat.Ass'n),Crawfordsville,Ind. 
Sam'l L. McFadin, Corp. Co. G, Istlnd.V.I. (Marshall Nat. Ass'n), Logansport. Ind. 
Joseph J. Colomay, Quartermasters Dept. Rio Grande Route, Toledo, Ohio. 
Robert Klotz, Lieut, and Adjt, 2nd Pa. Vol. Inf ty, Mauch Chunk, Pa. 
Cassius M. Clay, Capt, Co. — 1st Ky, Cavalry, White Hall, Ky. 
J. F. Nichols, Priv. Co. I, 4th U. S. Art., Mt. Vernon, O. 
Abner P. Pollard, Priv. 5th U. S, Infantry, Six Points, O. 
John M. Lind.sey, Corp. Co. K, '.»th U. S. Infantry, Mt. Vernon, O. 
Alfred Kinney, Corp. Riddle's Independent Co.. Portiige, O. 
George F. Brady, Priv, Co. A, 11th U. S. Inf'ty, Norwalk, O, 
John F. Helm, Musician, Co. K, 1st 111. Vol. Inf'ty, Tiffin, O. 
W. T. George, Priv. Co. C, 2nd U. S. I., Cardington, O. 
Samuel Fry, Priv. Co. 3, 7th U. S. I., Shelby, O. 
John Conwell, Priv. Co. C, .5lh U. S. I., Cadiz, O. 



HOiS^OEARY MEMBEESHiP. 



The following named persons were made Honorary Members of 
the Ohio Association of the Veterans of the Mexican War : 

Gen. Geo. W. McGinnis, Indianapolis, Ind- 
Dr. J. M. Toner, Washington, D. C. 
Henry D. Coffinberry, Cleveland, (). 



Gen. Cassius M. Clay, White Hall, Ky. 
Ex-President Rutherford B. Hayes, Men- 
tor, Ohio. 
Gen. Fitz John Porter, New York. 

" P. G. T. Beauregard, New Orleans, La. 

" Wm. Ferrar Smith, Philadelphia, Pa. 

" Don Carlos Buell, Paradise, Ky. 

" E. Kirhy Smith, Sewanee, Tenn. 

" Horatio G. Wright, Washington, D.C. 

" Absalom Baird, " 

" Innis N. Palmer, " 

Admiral & Gen. S. P. Carter," 
Gen. Kichard C. Drum, 

" Simon Bolivar Buckner, Frankfort, 
Kentucky. 
Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers 

U. S. A., Baltimore, Md. 
Gen. Wm. B. Franklin, Hartford, Ct. 

" Albert Pike. Washington, D. C. 

;' M. L. Bonham, Columbia, 3. C. 

'• J. D. Cox, Cineinnati, Ohio. 

" BurketD. Fry, Richmond, Va. 

" Lew Wallace, Crawfordsville, Ind. 

" M. D. Manson, " ' 



Mrs Betty Taylor Dandridge, only surviv- 
ing child of Gen. Zachary Taylor, 
Winchester, Va. 

Mrs. Mary K. Jones, Mount Auburn, Cin- 
cinnati, O., and 

Mrs. Col. Abert, Newport. Ky., relatives 
of Gen. Zachary Taylor. 

Mrs. Josephine R. Foster, sister cf Gen. 
Wm. Lytle, Cincinnati, O. 

Mrs. George W. Jones, daughter of Col. 
John W. Tibbatts, IGth U. S. Inf'ty. 

John Boudinot. cenieuaiian, War of 1.SI2. 

James Pitkins, 97 years of age, soldier in 
War of 1812. 

Jacob Sappington, soldier in Texan 
Revolution, Larwili, Ind. 

Loreqzo Jones, soldier in 1 exan Revo- 
lution, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 

George McKee, soldier in Texan Revolu- 
tion, Zuck, O. 

Hon. Rufus King, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Gen. Isaac D. Toll. Petoskey, Michigan. 

S. E. Beach, Pontiae, 



Rev 



A.M 



Major Samuel L. McFadin, Logans- |l 

port, Ind. - j 

Doctor B. Bodine,Presidcnt Kenyon Gen. Wm. S. Rosecrans, Washington, D.C 

College, Gambler, Ohio, I E. R. :MerrifiL'ld, Lansing, Michigan. 

. Kcnaday, Washington, DC. 



GUESTS AT MT. VEKNON, O. 

Honorary Members at l^th Animal Re-union, May 8-0, 18f!0. 



P. Hyde, Norwalk, O. 
John E. Cline, Norwalk, O. 
Frank H. Krutsch, Delphos, (\ 
Mrs. Gen. James W. Denver, Wilming- 
ton, O. 
" Gen. George W. Morgan, ]Mt. Ver- 
non, O, 
" Gen. James A. Jones, NorAvalk, O. 
" Col. William Smith, Van Wert, O. 
" Capt. M. C. Lilley, Col umbus, O, 
" Capt, JohnSlasel, Newark, O. 

Judge J. Buckingham, Newark, O. 
■' Hon. Chilton A. White, George- 
town, O. 
" John Conwell, Cadiz, O. 
John E. Ciine. Norvalk, O. 



JefFN. O'Connor, Homer, O. 
Royal R. McKenzie, Black Creek, O. 
Wm. S. McKenzie, " " 

Mrs- Margaret O'Connor, Homer, O. 

" Isaac Glcason, Centreburg, O. 

" Joseph Sawyer, Coshocton, O. 

" Griff' Rosebrough, Newark, O. 

" A. M. Stewart, 

" E. Frank Shrock, 

W. B, Sargent, " 

" Edwin Williams, Homer, O. 
Miss Catharine Denver, Wilmington < 

" Nellie Robertson, Sidney, O. 

" Anna Louden, Georgetown, O. 

" Claudia J. Evans, Danville, Iowa. 

" Mary E. Evans, Newr.rk,0. 



Mrs. 1'. IIy<k', 

1). L. Jliitliawny, CohimlMis, (). 
<'Iiiriii(lji Craitj, Centivbnr,;,', (). 
Mary K. Litzt-nburK, Sparta, O. 
\V. T. (Je )rjjre, ('anlingtoii, O. 
'• M. .1. McKi'iizio, Black Creek, (). 



M/ssCatliarim- DarliiiKtoii, Newar.*, (). 
" Mary Stanl'cry, 
" Klla llainilton. 
" Florence Stasel, 
" I.ibhie MfMiillen, rii<-a, O. 



VETERANS OF ("IVIL WAR. 

lin'jif/ (hnnniiltcc af Arranf/e)ncn/.'^f(ii Rcunitni Xl/i and 9//i of Muti. A. J>. lSi)(). 
iioNOKAiiY ?,ii:mi;kk.s. 



Lerny (J. Iltint, Mt. Vernon, (). 
.lolni M. Armstron.u:, .Mt. Veruoii. (). 
Joseph C. Gordon 
CJeorfi:e Bake;, 
fieorjj;.' Insjrnian, 



Jolm MeCrory, Monnl Vernon, O. 
T. Benton f.'otton, 
lioll n (;. Cnrtis, " " 

ilenry Keefor, " 



Mrs George W. Morgan. 

" Ilenry P. Bennett, 

" Leroy (J. Ilnnt, 

" .To.seph C. Gordon, 

'• .Tnhn M(t("rory, 

'■ .Tolin M. Armstrong 

" Daniel Keeler, 



COiMMITTEE OF LADIES. 

HONORARY MEMBEKS. 
Mt. Vernon, () 



Mrs. Kollln C. Curtis, Mount Vernon, O. 

" (leorge Baker, '• 

" (ieorgc K. Norton, " " 

" T. B. Cotton, 

" (ieorge Baker, " " 

" .1. F. Nichols, 

" Jes.se Ilcadington, " 



LETTERS OF REliRET. 



CJracofnl and eloqnont letters of regret were rcceivi>(l from : 
Captain Dccnnip Brecount, of Dayton, Ohio; Captain David D. Long, of 
Indianapolis, Ind.; fJeneral All)ert Pike. Washington, I). C; Gen.Geo.F.Mc(;innis, 
Indianapolis, Ind.: Cai)tain Evan Julian, St. Louis, Mo.; Lieut. John ^McMahon 
Ironton, O.; Lieut. JauK's E. L>nn, Akron, O,; John B. Sullivan, Indianapolis, 
Ind.; \Vm. N. Coler, New York City; Jabez J. Antrim, De Funiak Springs, Fla.; 
(ien. Fitz John Porter, New York City ; Gen. Wm. Ferrar Smith, Philadelphia, 
Pa.; (Jov. Simon B. Buckner, Frankfort, Ky ; Daniel Belleman, Weir, Kansas; 
P.enjamin James, Philadeli)hia, Pa.: Wm. T. Walker, Toledo, ().; .Tacob Weiden- 
kopf, Cleveland, O.; Col. Jolm W. Hartley, Decatur, 111 ; Sanford W. Smith, 
Monmouth. 111.; Henry Good, Fayette, Chio ; Hon James M. CuWer, Richmond, 
Oiiio; Cai)tain James F. Chapman, Sandusky, (;hio ; Joshua S. Preble MeComb, 
Ohio; Martin Sipe, Quiucy. Mich.; Dr. John R. Mar.shall, Dublin, Ohio; Lieut. 
Jacob <;. Frick, Pottsville. Pa.; Wm. F. Cloud, Kansjus Ciiy, Mo.; Andrew Hotten- 
.stine, Rei>ublic, Ohio; Captain Abe Andrews, San Fr.\nci»eo, Cal.; Captain Joseph 
W. Filler, Ellingham, 111.: Charles Smith, Decatur, 111.; William Ramsey, 
Dayton, Ohio : Gen. R. P. Bu(kli:nd, Frerr.ont. Ohio; Hon. Wm. E. Ilaynes. 
Fremont. Ohio; John Kritzer, Philadelphia, Pa.; Francis J. Keffer, Philadelpliia. 
Pa.; Jesse (Jortner, Fayitle, Oliio: Wm. H. Heath. Reading. Ohio; Cai)tain Kd. 
M. Hunt, Danbury, Ohio ; Conrad Lue, Patterson, Ohio ; Henry C. Correll, Oden, 
Ind.; James F. Charlesworth. St. Clairsville, Ohio; (.en. Innis N. Palmer, Wash- 
ington, D. C ; (Jcucral William J. Landrnm, Lancaster, Ky.; General A. Banning 
Norton, Dallas, Texas; (iencral Is:'.af D. Toil, IVtoskev, .'.lich.; S. E. Beach. Es ;.. 



Pon iac, Michigan i E. R. Merrifield, Esq., Lansing, Michigan; Gen. Saul F. Hunt, 
Cincinnati, Ohio ; General Doa Carlos Buell, Paradise^ Kentucky: A. M. Kenaday, 
JEsq., Washington, D. C; GeneralJ. J. Landram , Covington, Ky.; General T.J. 
Wood, Dayton, Ohio ; Captain B, C. Milam, Frankfort, Ky,, (nephew of Col. Ben 
Milam, the hero of San Antonio, Texas, December, 1835); General James Long- 
street, Gainesville, Ga.; General E. Kirby Smith, Sewanee, Tenn.; General Bur- 
ket D. Fry, Richmond, Va.; General Lew Wallace, Crawfordsville, Ind. 

DEATH LIST 

Since Ibth Annual Reunion at Newark^ Ohio, May 8 and 9, 1889. 

Elisha W. Morrow, fit Coshocton, Ohio, May 14, 1889. Private in Co. B, 3d Ohio 
Volunteer InfaTitry. Aged 64 years. 

Thomas McClnin, at Clio, Ohio, June •24tli, 1889. Private in Co. B^ 3d .Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. Aged C6 years. 

John Quinn, at Fremont, Ohio, July 3, 1889. Private ih Co. C, 4th Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry. Aged 73 years. 

George Downs, at Newark, Ohio, July 29, 1889. Private in Co. H, 2nd Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. Aged 69 years. 

•Timothy Wilcox, at Clyde, Ohio, November 24, 1889, Private in Co. C, 4th Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. Aged 74 years. 

George Dresher, near Akron, Ohio, February 6, 1890. Private in Co. G, 11th U. S, 
Infantry. Agtid 75 years. 

Jereboam B. Creighton, at Akron, Ohio, INLirch 16, 1890. Private in Co. K, 3d Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. Aged 65 years. 



SIXTEENTH ANNUAL RE-rNION 

OHIO STATE ASSOCIATION 

Mexican --^^^ W Ar^ ^ Veterans. 

Mount Vernon, Ohio, May 7tli, 8tii and ytli, 18^)0. 



AVEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH. 

1 National Salute fired at Sun-set. 

2. Serenade to Veterans and Visitors, bv the Band, at the Curtis House. 

3. "A Thousand Years, ^ c? i ai j -it ^> 

Mv Own Columbia;" ^«"^^ ^'^ \\- ='"^ ,^V?' ^'^w?n 

"Patriotic (Jem," ', burner, Mr and Mrs. \\ ill 

"Golden Years," ' Jackson, and Mrs. Ed. Ham- 

"Good Night, Comrades." J ^^^^"• 

In response to the calls of the multitude assembled, addresses 

were made by Generals Cassius Marcellus Clay, James W. Denver, 

Mahlon D. Manson and Major Samuel T. McFadin. 

The Veterans then adjourned to the Crescent Club Eooms, where 
they were hospitably entertained. 

THURSDAY, MAY 8TH. 

1. A National Salute was fired at sunrise. 

2. At 10 o'clock A. M. National Airs were successively played by four 

excellent Bands, closing with "Yankee Doodle," by a spirited 
Drum Corps. 

3. National Salute fired at noon. 

At 2 p. M. Grand Marshal Leroy G. Hunt formed a splendid 
column, composed of the Civic Authorities and Societies of Mount 
Vernon ; Vance Cadets, Kenyon Cadets and Artillery. 

In the first carriage were (ioneral Cassius M. Clay, General 
Denver, General Manson and Col. Chilton A. "White. 

In the second, were John Boudinot, a centenarian, soldier of the 
War of 1812 ; Rev. Jas. Pitkins, aged 1)7 years, soldier of the War of 
1812, and Lorenzo Jones, eighty-five years of age, soldier in the 
Texan Revolution. 

The third carriage contained General George W. ^lorgan, Jacob 



Sappingtoii, Samuel K. IVIott and George McKee, soldiers of the Texan 
Kevolntion. 

Tiiese were followed by a long procession of carriages containing 
!the Veterans of the Mexican War, Citizens of Mount Vernon and of 
Knox County. 

The Soulier's Monument on the Public Square, the Public 
Buildings, the business houses and private residences were supeibly 
■decorated, and everyone, from the children of the Kindergarten School 
to the Centenarian Veterans of the War of 1812, vied with each other 
in welcoming the Mexican War Veterans. 

EECEPTIOX, 

The recejjtion at Woodward Gpera House Thursday evening was 
attended by as many as could be comfortably seated. Col. Hunt an- 
nounced tlie program, which opened with an orchestrial selection 
!f;»rayer by Dr. Bodine, of Kenyon College, and the "Star Spangled 
Banner" by a chorus of school cliildren, assisted by several adults. 

The address of welcome was then delivered by Dr. J. C. Gordon 
wlio spoke as follows : 

Mr. President, Veterans of the Mexican IFar, Ladies and. Gentlemen: 

Those who witnessed the parade to-day will seldom, if ever, have 
the privilege to witness again a parade in which there are the repre- 
sentatives of four wars, and one of that number one hundred years 
old. The war with Great Britain in 1812, which terminated in the 
brilliant victory at New Orleans, was represented upon that occasion 
by .John Boudinot, who passed the hundredth mile stone on the 27th 
day of April last, and Rev. James Pitkins, who, if spared until one 
week from to-day, will be 97 years old. General Morgan and myself 
had the pleasure to call on these gentlemen at their respective homes 
a few days ago, and found them in the enjoyment of good health. We 
found Father Pitkins in his garden, which he had recently spaded him- 
self, not being satisfied, (as his daughter informed us,) with the work of 
the artist who executed it last year. When returning from our very 
pleasant and hospitable call and commenting upon the garden fact, we 
found no difficulty or diversity of opinion regarding the question 
that when we arrived at that age we would be perfectly satisfied with 
almost any artist to arrange our garden truck. The war of the Texan 
Revolution is represented by General G. W. Morgan, Jacob Sapplington 
Lerenzo Jones, Samuel W. Mott and George McKee ; the war with 
Mexico by these veterans who meet in reunion to-day, and the late Avar 
by the boys who are interspersed through the assembly — who we 
trust upon this occasion will observe their usual decorum. 



-s — 

Tlie pleasant duty was assigned me upon this occasion of giving 
words of welcome to those veterans of the Mexican War who honor us* 
with their presence to-day. 

That duty has heen taken away from me, l)ut in such a kind and 
generous manner that 1 can lind no fault with it myself, but rather rejoice 
that it is 80. In fact, I was expecting it, knowing as I do the generous 
impulses of our people and the spontaneous enthusiasm which is al- 
ways manifested toward men, worthy their kindest regard and highest 
appreciation. I felt, when the tirst rays of the morning sun came joy- 
fully leaping over the eastern hilltops, laden with the warmth oi 
spring and the perfume of May llowers, giving life, animation, vigor 
and strength to all living things, and tilling the atmosphere with the 
ozone of welcome, that the same God who protected tliese men in 
battle, remembers them also in peace here to-day. And at the depot, 
when the trains came in on which were expected our honored guests, a 
committee awaitsd their arrival, the representatives of oar city, vied 
with each other in giving the warmest welcome and extenditig to them 
the freedom and hospitality of our city. 

They found carriages at their disposal waiting their commands tO' 
take them to any and all parts of the city, and as our citizens, both 
young and old, gave that warm and cordial grasp of the hand to these 
veterans, it gave to them a magnetic shock of welcome that speaks 
stronger and more lasting than any words of mine can. 

As the procession passed up the street and they saw the flags dec- 
orating the buildings, waving in magnificent folds in the May 
breezes, lovingly expressed a joyous welcome that was s«lf-satisfying 
enough, to convince them that they were welcome, and that their ser- 
vices in the cause of their country were fully appreciated. The flag is 
but a gentle reminder that it is the same that waved triumphantly at 
the battles of Resacea de la Palma, Monterey, Chepultepec, Cerro Gordo, 
Chtrubusco, iiuena Vista, and all the battles from Vera Cruz to Mexico, 
and from Palo Alto to Malino del Rey, and cheering by 
its presence patriotic devotion to the cause of Liberty, and 
carrying freedom to the oppressed of Texas, a country large enough 
for an emj)ire, and in extent e(iual to 700,000 square miles, or in extent 
equal to twice the area of the thirteen original states. 

'Tis the same flag that has ever been the harbinger of peace, pros- 
perity and joy to the oppressed of all nations, and wherever its spread 
unfolds men see day-break bursting upon their e3'es,for no other flag upon 
the globe ever went forth upon such a mission or carried upon the sea 
everywhere such hope to the captive or such glorious tidings. Its stars 
are to the pining nations like the morning stars of God, and its bars are 
the beams of morning light. Intelligence, Christianity, prosperity 
and happiness go hand in hand with the stars and stripes, and it is sin- 



gnlarly fitting upon tliis occasion to have it floating from every 
house-top in our city. 

These veterans came to our city to-day, and to the home of their 
only living general of that war, and with true, loving, loyal hearts 
take him once more by the iiand and talk of reminiscences that hap- 
pened forty -five years ago as if they were events of yesterday. 
And as many of them for the first time call upon him at his home, they 
find a welcome as at a father's house. 

The same kindness, the s;une hospitality, the same generosity 
the sani3 unselfish davotioii for tha welfare of others and the same 
disregard for tlie comfort of self, cliaracteriises General Morgan to-day 
as it did from 1845 to 1848 ; and as the boys look into his face tliey find 
the same sparkle in his eyes, the same attention to their request, the 
same kind ansvvers falling fro n his lips, with the same integrity and 
unwavering truthfulness that signalized him a generation ago. 

These veterans feel and know, that from the natural course of hu' 
man events, it may be the last time that some of them will ever 
have the pleasure or privilege to meet in reunion again, but with the 
same fortitude and undaunted courage that sustained them on entering 
the battle, stand by them to-day, and although the Keaper with his 
sickle sharp and keen, thrusts in the blade to the liilt, and perchance 
severs their connection with life, he will find the Grain fully ripe for 
the harvest and they will unmurmuringly and uncomplainingly ap- 
pear before Him who is the judge of all, receive His orders and exe- 
cute them with the same faithfulness which characterized these men 
all along the pathway of life. These are the men who 
were well assured of the justness of the cause ere they drew 
their swords, and being thus assured they pressed forward with 
undaunted courage, and having subdued their adversaries and brought 
them within their power, they remembered them no longer as enemies 
but extended to them that most glorious attribute of Deity— mercy. 
These men knew when they went into battle that the leader of their 
adversaries was the same man commanding men who showed 
no quarters to an adversary, but indiscriminately murdered all cap- 
tives, and a fair sample of their work which was fresh in their minds 
was the taking of Alamo. It was attacked by tlie whole force of the 
Mexican army, commanded by Santa Anna in person. The battle was 
desperate untill daylight, when only six men belonging to tlie garrison 
were found alive. They were instantly surrounded and ordered by 
Gen. Castrillion to surrender, which tliey did, under a promise of his 
protection, finding that resistance any longer would be madness, and 
when Gen. Castrillion marched the six prisoners, and among the- 
number was David Crockett, and addressed Santa Anna, saying: ''Sir, 
here are six prisoners I have taken alive, how shall I dispose of them V 



Santa Anna looked at Castrillion tieivelv and flfw int<« a ra^r, an<8 
replied: " Hive I not told yon before how to dispose ol llieni ; why 
do yon brinj? them to me?" At tiie san>e time the officers piiin<;ed 
their swords into the bosoms of their defenceless [yrisoners. And 
when the fo't at (ioliad was defended by Col. Fanning with a small 
force of volunteers who had fought valiantly for three days against 
five times their nund)er, and was dealing death to many of the Mexi- 
cans, they saw ajjproaching from the enemy a body of men bearing a 
white flag, which was promptly met l)y a similar one from Fanning 
under Major "Wallace. The enemy demanded tlie snrrenckr of Fan- 
ning and his forces and promised in the most sacred manner that they 
should retain all their private property and might return l)y the first 
opportunity as prisoners of war to the United Estates, or remain until 
they were regularly exchanged, and that thev should be treated in the 
most humane manner while retained in confinement. With these 
specious promises be was induced to trust to the honor of the butchers 
of the Alamo, and accept of the terms of the capitul.-.tion, and with 
what results ? Such as you might expect from the treacherous Span 
iards. For eight days they endured hardship, privation and starvation^ 
then, on pretence of making room for beeves to be slaughtered in order 
to prepare rations for their reino^^al to Mattagorda. they were taken out 
in squads of one hundred for about two hundred yards along a brush 
fenr'e and ordered to face about, and the cocking of the guns was the 
first intimation of the fate that awaited them. At the first fire nearly 
all fell mortally wounded, a few who dro[)ped at the flash of the guns 
jumped over the brush fence and escaped into the woods. The wounded 
and those who showed signs of life were dispatched with the bayonet. 
They were stripped, thrown into a pile and burned, and these n eii> 
knowing all these things, gave to the world the greatest example of 
Christian forgiveness and God like qualities of any army, either before 
or since. They carried with them on all occasions, a peace 
conunission, offering before every battle to amicably adjust without 
bloodshed the differences existing between them; but all yroflers of 
j)eace to iSanta Anna were spurned with contempt, for to rule, ruin or 
exterminate were his [)redominant ideas of manhoitd. 

These are the men who never knew defeat, always opposed in 
battle by from three to five times their number, but victory always 
perched upon their banner, for God and right being on their side 
their strength was invincible and they uncon(|uerable. 

These men met cunning Avith intelligence. They met deceit and 
deception with honesty and intcgiity, They met cowardice with 
bravery, they met wrong with ri^ht, they met oppression with freedoi; > 
they met want with i)lenty, they met arrogance with humility, and 



— 11- 

insults with the prorFered hand of friendship. They ni«t wxir with 
the white dove of peace ever floating over them, high enough that the 
enenjy might see and accept at any moment. The lovirg hand of 
friendship was ever extended and offers of peace proffered on all oc- 
casions. The enemy's black flag was returned by the kindest acts of 
humanity. Their actb of cruelty were met by deeds of kindness. 
Their rapiers and lances of hate fell harmless at the feet of love and 
right, which is always invincible, prevailed where wrong and oppres- 
sion ruled with an iron heel. At the battle of Buena Vista, when they 
were confronted by five times their numbers, they preceived, and felt 
equal to the destinies of the moment. The very greatness of the haz- 
ard exhilarated them. Their spirits rose with the occasion. They 
awaited the time of onset with a stern and impatient joy. They felt 
like the war horse of scripture, "who paweth in the valley and rejoiceth 
in his strength, who goeth out to meet the armed men, who sayeth 
among the trumpets ha ! ha I and who smelleth the battle afar oflt", the 
thunders of the captains and the shouting." 

They had confidence in their resources, springing from no vain 
estimate of their own power, but the legitimate offspring of their own 
previous severe discipline, sustained and controlled them, giving that 
courage, confidence and constancy which was characteristic in every 
battle they fought. 

These men come among us not as strangers. Their deeds have pre- 
ceded them, for history has recorded it and it has been indelibly en. 
graved upon the tablets of time, to be read, not only by this, but by 
future generations. And it seems to us almost impossible that we have 
the honor to entertain the men who scaled the almost impregnable 
heights of Cerro Gordo, and with courage undaunted and with prompt- 
ness and intrepidity unexcelled drove Santa Anna and his horde of 
Mexicans from their stronghold, capturing three thousand prisoners, 
five generals and great numbers of other olRcers, with quantities of 
cannon, small arms, military stores and baggage in such quantities 
that they were a burden to the victors. But never exultant, they 
pressed forward with an earnest desire to relieve the oppressed and ter- 
minate the shedding of blood. 

The war with Mexico was the cradle in which were rocked many of 
the most able generals of the late war. It was the practical school of 
military science and furnished such men as Lee, Albert and Joe 
Johnson, Longstreet Beaureguard, Van Doran, W. H. Whiting, Kirby 
Smith, Buckner, the Hills, and Garnetts, and on the other side, equally 
at the front and in the hottest of the fight, we find the peerless names 
of Grant, McClellan, Mead, Thomas, Hancock, Fitz John Porter 
Baldy Smith, Buell, Keynolds, Franklin, McDowell, Hunt, and many 



others, ainoiiti^ tlieni our (listinKuislu'd tjiiests, Cassius Marcelliis Clay, a 
descendant of tliat fanious name that has been honorably and intimately 
connected with the history of our country from its earliest infancy to 
the present time. An American citizen who has distinguished himself 
as a di[>lomist, soldier, patriot and philanthropist. One who has ever 
dared to do, and had the moral courage to stand by his convictions, and 
from his standpoint of right f)resent his views, even at the risk of life? 
for with the integrity of a Clay and the undaiinted moral courage of 
liis ancestors, he feared no danger, for life is of small account when 
the almighty force and power of truth, with our liberties, are crushed to 
earth. And General James W. Denver, besides his distinguished war 
record, has tilled the honorable position of Secretary of the State o' 
California, and was chosen by her people to represent their interests in 
Congress, and while governor of the state of Kansas, did inore to quell 
the troubled waters, and give peace and tranquility to her people than 
all other governors of the state combined; and we have General Manson, 
General James A, Jones, General James Robertson, and General Lew 
Wallace, who not only distinguished himself as a soldier, but has im- 
mortalized his name with the pen in "Ben Hur" and the "Fair God," 
and I must not neglect nor forget our own distinguished citizen. General 
George W. Morgan, who feared no danger in the line of duty, shirked 
no responsibility among men, a peer of any and loved by all. His 
public services, private virtues, his spotless character, is universally 
appreciated where best he is known. 

There is a pleasing fitness, and appropriateness in our citizens per- 
mitting the veterans of the late war to be foremost in welcoming the 
veterans of the Mexican war to our city, and as they mingle and com- 
mingle together a spirit of brotherhood prevails over all. They enjoy 
each other's society, are entertained by the same music, cheered by the 
same sentiment, animated by the same spirit of patriotism, rejoicing 
in the success and prosperity of the same country, and willing to do 
sacrifice alike upon the altar of our common country for our country's 
good. As our citizens have extended you a welcome, permit me to 
welcome you, on behalf of the multiplied thousands of happy and pros- 
perous home*, tliat dot the vine clad sloj)cs of California, skirting the 
Pacific for more than a thousand miles, and those homes situated in 
the rich, alluvial plains in the great South-wciit, where the husband, 
man with his family at eventide watch the setting sun, and 
the lowing herds wind slowly o'er the plains, and the billowy fields of 
grain wave a joyful thankfulness to Almighty (iod for the presence of 
man, and from those homes situated in tie mountain gulches, where 
streams of gold and silver come pouring in to enrich our country, beau- 
tify our homes, and make prosperous and happy our native land. All 
these speak a welcome in no uncertain tones to the men who opened up 



navigation and thoronglifarets to these rich agricultural fields and 
untold wealth of mines. 

Merj words of welcome to these veterans are of small import; 'tis 
the action and spirit of the reception that will linger longest in their 
memories, and be the most fondly cherished and prized by them 
when, in their silent meditations, tliey ponder over the past and the 
panorama of this reunion passes in review before them. And now, 
permit me to say, no men ever came to our city in reunion who were 
more welcome or whose services were more appreciated than these 
veterans of the Mexican war who are with us to-day. 

General James W. Denver. 

On behalf of the Veterans of the Mexican War General James W. 
Denver responded as follows: 
Mr. President, Veterans of the Mexican War, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

I feel much pleasure in the duty imposed upon me of responding, 
on behalf of the survivors of the Mexican War present, as well as for 
those who were unable to leave their homes, to this hearty welcome to 
your beautiful city. 

Mount Vernon is a name suggestive of patriotism wherever it is 
uttered in the presence of a true American citizen, because it recalls 
the sacred sepulchre of the Father of our Country, on the banks of the 
Potomac. Henceforth the name should be doubly suggestive of 
patrotism and hospitality combined, when uttered in the presence of 
veterans here assembled ; because this generous manifestation of these 
two virtues by the good people of Knox county clearly demonstrates 
their Capital City is entitled to the venerated name by which it is 
known. 

Our old veterans are nothing if not emotional. An exhibition of 
kindness and appreciation of their services, rendered in the days of 
their youth, agitates them and quickly brings to the surface a response 
of gratitude and respect. They know that in the course of nature their 
ranks have been sadly thinned during the forty-four years that have 
elapsed since Palo Alto and Resacca de la Palma electrified the nation. 

Within twenty-seven months after that event the history of the 
war was completed. Every battle fought was a victory to our arms, 
and the boundaries of the nation were enlarged to the extent of a 
million square miles, bringing into our posession that magnificent 
country on the Pacific slope of the continent, whose hills and mountains 
were veined with gold as the human body is veined with the fluid of 
of life. 

I will leave to others, who will succeed me in these exercises, to 
dwell on the details. It is sufficient for me to say that fully a hundred 



thousand of the youii*; men of thut period rallied round the lla^' of our 
country and aciiieved a name that will stand out in hold relief as loii^ 
as the nation stands. 

Although so many years have passed since the close of that war, 
and the numberless exciting events that have transpired in the mean- 
time, in all of which our adventurous spirits took part, yet the secretary 
of our National Association has ascertained that about 9,000 of them 
still survive to obtain the small pension accorded to them, and that 
about (>,000 widows have been recognized, lie has furnishe<l me with 
a roll of the commanders of one hundred and two regiments, of whicii 
number ten only are living, the remainder having taken their depart- 
ure to "fame's eternal camping ground." 

Of twenty (ireneral officers in that war all have gone save one — 
your own gallant and chivalrous General George W. Morgan. How 
well I recollect him on the Plains of Chalco ; busy drilling his regi- 
ment ; preparing them to take part, and an important part, in the 
battles then impending. He is worthy of all the love you can bestow 
on him, and you people of Mount Vernon cannot but regard your- 
selves as being peculiarly bles.sed by Providence by having left with 
you so good a citizen, so brave a man, and the last of the (xenerals of 
the Mexican war. 

I thank you heartily for this generous reception. 



Cassius M. Clay. 

The proceedings at the Opera House were closed by the following 
address by Cassius M. Clay : 
CornrudeH oi the Mexican War, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

I conceive it my duty on this occasion to attempt to advance no 
personal end. 

Now here,> if ever, I declare my allegiance, not to i)arty, but to 
my country. These banners which are especially representatives of our 
political organization, seen in times of war and in times of peace, at 
home and abroad, remind me that I have a country great enough for 
the worship of any citizen. As the youngest of the nations — the great 
nation — there is no doubt, fellow citizens, that we have the leader- 
ship of the future. It belongs to us, the American people, and I say it 
without any attempt to draw any distinction between the races here 
aggregated under the one nationality, more especially of the Anglo- 
Saxon race ; that race which has above all others developed progress, 
that race which has above all others based progress ui)on law and jus- 
tice. And now I have lived to see it grown, I think without flattering 
ourselves, to be the great nation of the earth — these United States. 



I 



Now fellow citizens, at my time of life, not only political, but I 
may say religions sentiments of destiny, of futurity, cluster around. 
Whilst J see on sea and land, on earth and in the heavens, indications of 
Deity which exist, all our noblest aspirations of immortality, I have, 
however, the sure and certain fact, and that only, that here is the seat 
of another immortality, less material but no less the work of an 
omnipotent God who has made and spread out the universe for His 
own purposes. "The man dies," said Emmett, "but his memory 
lives." These men will pass away but humanity remains. Where, 
then, should it be at all times when serious subjects are up and under 
consideration ? A greater field for speculation than humanity has seen 
exhibited on this earth — the nation and the family of nations. And 
bringing our responsibilities nearer home, from the larger to the 
smaller circle. As our affections and love and reverence is for the 
time concentrated in the family but not co-extensive with the State and 
with the world, so it seems my particular duty to-night to make a few 
remarks on the Americans as a nation. 

What are the duties of the citizen? Wliat is the destiny of hu- 
manity ? Now as I said on another occasion, it so happens that the life 
of my father and myself embraces more than the history of this Repub- 
lic in point of time, and yet in the time, the latter portion of this period 
in my own life, 1 have seen more development of progress in the physical, 
in the sociaj, in the moral and in the scientific world, and all that, than 
in all the centuries that have preceded it. Now I need not on this occas- 
ion enumerate them. I have not then, therefore, fellow citizens, been al- 
ways true to party, and that is the reproach to me. They say that Clay 
has shown some claims upon the respect and memory of his fellow- 
citizens but he is too uncertain in his [)olitical position. I thank God 
that I have never been dragged down to that low estimate of my duty. 
Believing in the omnipotent God as I do with all my heart and all mv 
judgment and all my soul, 1 would be a base creation of His hands if I 
confined myself to such a low circle as that, remembering what I owe 
Him for the munificence which He has shown me and humanity, that are 
my sisters and brothers. Well now, the family — that is the basis of all 
human happiness. Without the family all else is lost. The family 
is the basis of all government, its headshi}), its unity, and its common 
destiny. Without that it cannot exist. So is the State a larger family. 
The nation is but another family, and never did I feel that sentiment 
more fully than I do to-night when I stand amongst men whose social, 
religious and political sentiments I may have antagonized in life. I 
forget that there is any difference wiiatever in the great family of this 
nation — we are one and indivisable. And so I look a little longer, 
a little further down the vista of time, and I have come to the conclu- 



■ ' II tliMt iMiiiiaiiity i> tt'iidinjj as tlio t'aiih ami the solar system \r* 
iiKivinj^ in space, so are the nations moving towards the greater ami 
higher unit when all humanity shall be but one family. Dont you 
see evidences of it? Suppose all these states were divided into separate 
nations? Here we have North America and South America. r>on't 
you see progress going to that point? Another Re{tublic in South 
America I Then it may be one America — North and South no more. 
Wliy not be one nationality that shall cover the wh(;le space of this 
earth? This may be Utopian but certainly the direction is good. It has 
added to the humanity of men, to the glory of our aspirations, and the 
security of the happiness of mankind. Therefore, w«' should be en- 
couraged to go on in the same direction, and now have yoti lost the 
family ? Here tlie State is your family and your horne. Now I beg you 
to consider these things, and we who have been soldiers — and I have 
been associated with them in a very humble relation, fortune having 
been against me in many things, but my aspirations have been in the 
same direction, for the safety and glory of my })eople. I venture to 
make some suggestions for your consideration, and as we have drawn 
the sword in a cause perhaps that was necessary in the course of 
human events, yet I rejoice that on most occasions we have drawn it, 
not for the destruction of any people, but for the extension and consol- 
dation of this vSaxon race, which has the leadership in otir modern 
civilization. I pray you to let these same aspirations continue in the 
same direction. Man proposes and God disposes, but whatever may be 
the event so far as we are concerned, let Him decide the result. 

[The gallant general concluded his speech by referring in ehxpient 
terms to the dangers threatening the Republic in consequence of the 
tendency to the aggregation of wealth in the hands of the few, and the 
further danger arising from the growing power of corporations — more 
particularly the railroad companies.] 

On motion of Col. Hunt the audience proceeded to Kirk Hall 
where a sumptions bancjuet awaited the citizens and visitors. 

H. H. (iKF.ER. 

Vetera iii>. of the Mexiaiv War, Ladies and diif/niien, One <nid AK : 

For the distinguished honor of presiding over this part of the ex- 
ercises I thank you most sincerely and deeply. This is a most notable 
occasion. The distinguished men and stranger friends who are with 
us we heartily and generously welcome with that degree of liospitality 
whicli the people of this great State of Ohio are always known to e.\ten<l 
to those who favor the people with their presence. 

This occasion, la(|ies and gentlemen, memorable as it is, brings 
to us from ditierent sections of this great I'nion, men who have <lis- 



tingnished tliemselves in military und civil life, From the great State 
of Indiana come men of distinction, whose lives of honor and integrity, 
whose patriotism and devotion to country and to the rights of man 
have made their names renowned throughout the civilized world. 

The grand old Commonwealth of Kentucky, with all her richness 
5ind grandeur, with all her power and glory, possessing all that makes 
her powerful and great, prosperous and elegant in all that constitues 
true eminence, sends to us one of her foremost citizens, one of her most 
distinguished sons ; a most finished orator, bearing a family name 
world wide, a name that has made that State illustrious and renowned 
throughout the civilized world ; in all countries and in all nations 
wherever the English language is spoken that great name inspires free- 
dom of thought, freedom of action and freedom of purpose — -the great 
name of Clay. (Cheers.) Not only have we distinguished men from 
these States, hut from various portions of this great country, and espe- 
cially from our own beautiful State of Ohio — none richer and grander 
and more attractive. 

The sun in its eternal rounds looks down upon no more generous, 
brave, hosfitable people than are to be found within her border. 
There comes from the beautiful city of Cleveland upon the lake dis- 
tinguished gentlemen, from her Southern borders, from the beautiful 
towns on the Ohio river, illustrious men whase services to the country 
have been such as to inspire enthusiasm which is no where surpassed. 

Men who have devoted tlie best energies of their lives to the service 
of their country, in such a manner as to forever promulgate the prin- 
ciples they fought for an<i for which they receive everywhere ad- 
miration. 

In our own beautiful little city which sets here among the hills 
like a gem, rich, grand and pure, we are represented by one whom we 
are all under ali circumstances, and upon all occasions, proud to 
honor and claim as our own — his name is familiar to you all, Now 
my friends I will not delay the interesting services which are in store 
for us by any further remarks of my own. 

The first regular toast upon the programme, I will read: 

^' The victor of Palo Alto, Resacca de la Palma, Monterey, and the im- 
mortal fleld of Bueua Vista. With Zachariah Tayloy in command, 
victory was inevitable." 

Upon the Northern borders of our State, along the beautiful clear 
Lake Erie, is a city that is noted throughout this country as having in 
her midst brave, patriotic men. There comes to us from that city a 
distinguished man, a citizen of this great State, whose heart is keenly 
alive to all the tender sensibilities of human nature; a man whose 
energies have been devoted to the cause of freedom, one who in early 
boyhood went out in defense of right, and a gentleman who stands in 



tlu' tn.nt rjink in the legal profession ».t his State. He t(.im.> to d-i 
this evening to jrive expression to his feelings on the sentiment jnst 
read yon. I have the iionor of presenting to you, Col. Closes K. Diekev. 

CoLOXKJ. DiCKKY. 

Ctniirude.% Ludieii (ind Gentlemen: 

You will pardon nie for «iy saying, hy way e)f apology, that I an> 
somewhat nervous to-night, and there is notiiing that gives uie encour- 
agement except tt> see the calm, courageous, cool face of my early friend 
tieneral Morgan at the other end of the table. That face has calmed many 
a soldier, many a time in the day of battle. A further particular cause 
for nervou.s tremulousness is that I saw to-day on the street my old 
accjuaintance. Major Love. I had not the pleasure of seeing him for 
40 years before. 1 recollect when we were in camp on the banks of the 
Kio Grande, between Matamoras and the river, that we were not fed 
sumptously as we are here to-night. Wo had pork and hard tack that 
was inhabited. (Laughter.) We went to see if we could get a change 
ol diet. 1 procured some shot and had hunted steadily all day and 
returned without anything. We had a strict order in camp that there 
should be no firing, and the officers had considerable trouble in pre- 
venting it. There was a small tree 15 or 20 feet in height, with a small 
to}) and I saw /orty blackbirds on it. I forgot all about tJie order not 
to tire. I stepped back and brought d«)wn seven or eight blackbirds. I 
picked them up and he went for me, and went for me .somewhat sav- 
agely I tl'.ought. ''Young man, let those birds alone. Report at the 
guard house under arrest." It was all right. I knew it was all right. 
1 didn't know him as well then as I learned to know him afterwards. 
A larger heart never beat in the body of any man. He didn't follow 
me, but seeing him to-day makes me feel kind of nervous to-niglit, and 
if it was not for the support of my friend at the other end of the table I 
might be wor.'^e intimidated. But fourty-four years ago, the tirst day of 
this month — wt^ all recollect it — the Mexican forces crossed the Ki(» 
(irande both above and below Fort Hrovvn. The communication.s of 
Cieneral Taylor were threatened. He left Fort Brown witii about two 
thousand men, a very few over, for V\^t\ Isabel. He cajne up the 
valley of the Kio Grande on the night of the lirst. He reached Fort 
Hope at Point Isabel on the evening of the 2il and on the nu»rningof 
the .Sd he heard the guns of the Mexican artillery playing upon P\)rt 
Santa Anna. Captain Walker went up the river to ascertain the con- 
dition of things. He remained there until he leturned, and cm the 
(Uh he started back with May's scjuadron of horse. The Major and 
Duncan's artillery and 2000 soldieis slept on the jjrairie. 

On the night of the Ttli and «)n the Sth forty-four years ago to-day, 



lie came in contact with the Mexican forces at Palo Alto or "tall lim- 
ber." We would not call it tall timber in this country. The battle 
•opened about three o'clock in the afternoon. I shall not attempt to 
•describe it. It was severe, bloody, steady— Taylor's forces holding their 
ground and remaining upon it during the night. For a moment it 
brings to us a solemn thought — forty-four yea.rs ago to-night! This 
host under General Taylor laid down upon the prairie and slept on th-e 
battle field surrounded by the slain and wounded, listening to their 
.groans. West in the morning expected to renew the contest hut found 
during the night the Mexican forces had fled. They advanced the next 
■day, passing up the river to Eesacca de La Palma. By this time the 
forces had been re-inforced by whicii was to the Mexican army what 
the Old Guard was to Napoleon. He again attacked them there. Th'C 
native forces were three to one, more tlian three to on-e. He attacked 
them there. After severe fighting on the part of the infantry and 
artillery, we all recollect the charge of Colonel May — the most splen- 
did cavalryman I ever saw. I have seen him in full galop throw him- 
self over on the side of the horse and pick up a handkerchief from the 
ground. Not many horsemen can accomplish that feat unless they 
have practiced in circus performances. A severe fight was fought at 
this ravine. Colonel May, who ^vas in command of the cavalry, finally 
received the order from General Taylor to make a ciiarge, and he 
charged upon the artillery up to the muzzle of the guns. After the 
fire had first been drawn they took the battery, ^ou all recollect, and 
captured the Mexican General. The regiment of veteran Mexicans was 
substantially annihilated in this fight, and as I understand, we 
meet largely to-day and this evening to commemorate and bring back 
these scenes of the past to mind and memory. After this, shortly after 
this the artillery of the Mexican forces was captured. The Mexicajj 
forces retreated across the river and Taylor took possession at Matam- 
oras. Proceeding up the river, the battle of Monterey was fought the 
following September. When we come to look back on the past 
it seems almost that the city could have been captured by 
the small numbers with which it was invested. Passing 
over the time somewhat ra[»idly, for it is getting too late for much 
talking, shortly after the capture of Monterey, a large portion of 
General Taylor's forces were taken from him — all the regular troops 
except 500 were taken and sent back on the other line to Vera Cruz and 
their place supplied with volunteers. He moved up throngh Sandalia, 
on by Buena Vista to find that his position was not so strong or ten- 
able as one further in the rear, and ascertaining he was about to be at- 
tacked by a large force under Santa Anna, he fell back to Buena 
Vista and there took positions. 



Uu the22n(l of Fehruarv, 1S47, the Mexican lorces :q)|iroaclieil trdfij 
twenty to twenty-two thousand stiong, (reneral Taylor only having abouli 
oOOU men tuuler his conunaiul and not more than 500 of those had ever 
seen a l)attle. The balance were raw troops— volunteers. They oc('U- 
pied this valley about — I speak from recollection — two miles wide, inter- 
sected with ravines. The battle commenced on the evening «)f the 22d, 
with skirmishing along the mountain side. In the morning General 
Taylor, having ascertained that there was an attempt to cut him ofi' 
from the rear, started l)ack in the direction of iSandalia, leaving Gen- 
eral Wool in comniand. It is unnecessary for one to recapitulate the 
events of that day. The battle was long, serious antl bloody. Several 
tin)es tluring the day it ap})eared as if the Americans were victorious, 
and again an attempt was made on the part of the Mexicans to regain 
their ground. Santa Anna was there with the flower of the Mexican 
Army. You all recollect the last charge made by the Mexican Re- 
serve, 2,000 strong, at the time when our gallant comrades. Colonels, 
Hardin and Playfell. You all recollect that when Bragg, using his 
artillery to the best advantage he could in rapid discharges on the 
Mexican soldiers, the Infantry (iuard was annihilated, and tlie Mex- 
ican soldiers charged to the muzzle of his guns, the Infantry regiments 
having been almost annihilated by the charge. He turned round to 
(General Taylor and re(juested some suppi-rt, informing him he would 
be compelled to remove his guns if Infantry was not given him, but 
the cool, steady reply was: ''.\ little more grape, Captain Bragg," and 
he gave it to them, and repulsed them with his artillery without the 
♦ordinary and necessary infantry guard, broke the charge and drove the 
Mexicans back in disarray and they fell back, and the battle substan- 
tially ended. In brave General Taylor was a remarkable man. Born 
in 1774, the son of a Revolutionary soldier, moving from Virginia to 
Kentucky in 1775, and locating on a j>lantation, remaining there un- 
til 24 years of age. His brother, who was the Hrst Lieutenant in the 
regular army died, and Zaehary Taylor was apjtointed to the vacancy, 
and was commissioned in 180(5. At the commencement of the war of 
1812 he was given a Captain's commis>i(in, and )»laced in command of 
Fort Harrison. 

He was there in command during the w jude period of the w;ir of 
lsr2. He had under his command about 50 men in two block- 
houses. He was attacked by a large nund)er of Indians, and as soon as 
the alaru) was given it was ascertained that the Indians had managed 
to set one of the blockhouses on lire. There was a large (juantity of 
whiskey there, and it was impossible to extinguish the tire. 1 should 
say that out of these 50 men, two thirds of t!iem were ill with fever. 
(Jeneral Tavlor cut awav the roof between this i»lnckhouse and 



-21- 

the other, and Lhereby prevented both from burning, kept steady 
the soldiers, and during the long night was fighting tiauie and Indians, 
held them steady to the last, defeated the Indians and came out vic- 
torious. In 1832 he was given the command in the Black Hawk war 
Shortly afterward he was placed in command at Fort Crawford. In 
1837, if I mistake not, he was transferred to Florida, and took charge 
of the campaign among the iSeminoles and he was the first man who 
.successfully procured the abandoning of the Seminoles and compelled 
peace. You all recollect his audacit}' and courage in fighting the In- 
dians in the swamps. He was in active service in the army for 40 
years and never lost a battle, was never defeated, was always succest- 
ful and always to be found in the front and ready for any emergency. 
He possessed the ability to give confidence and steadiness to his men 
and held them under fiie and amid carnage steadily to the task with 
dead and dying around him more than any other man engaged with 
the American Army. It somehow appeared that there was something 
in the man himself that gave courage and tenacity to those around him. 
He was a man of good judgment and military skill, but the remarka- 
ble thing about him was his ability to impart to others his own courage, 
his own steadiness, his own unfaltering devotion, his wonderful persever- 
ance and determination to succeed. You all know his history. He 
served his country well. In 1850 he crossed the river which we all 
must cross and has answered to the roll call upon the other side. Since 
we were together upon the valley of the Kio Grande, since many of us 
marched together over the Rio Grande to Montei'ey and up the passes 
of the mountains to Buena Vista, a large number of our 
comrades have been called to the other side. And we, too, 
must soon expect to answer to the roll call, but notwith- 
standing all this we can all look back with pride and gratification 
to the reputation which General Taylor left as a soldier as a legacy to 
us, his coLintrymen. Although he left us long ago, from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, from the everglades of Florida to the most Northern point of 
our country, he reflects the glory of the nation's past as it thrills 
through a kindred blood. 



H H. Gkeer Esq. 

We have in our midst to-night a gentleman of distinction, a gen- 
tleman whose services to his country have been such that he well mer- 
its the distinction and applause of the American people. He is with us 
to-night with his eloquent voice to speak upon this toast: 

"Winfield Scott: Greater than Cortez, he was never repulsed. On the fields 
of Mexico, agal'ist great odds, he fought eight battles, won eight vi:-- 
tDr.es, a'ld plaatai ctie stcirsaad stripes on tti3 pj^lace of the Moute- 
ziimas." 

I now have the pleasure of introducing Gen. Chilton A. White. 



(Jknekaj. White, 
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

I regret exceedingly that tluit genial gentlemen, brave \xni[ gallant 
soldier designated to respond to the sentiment of this toast is not w ith 
us here to-night. General Vandever having captured the Butler boys 
of the 1st Ohio regiment in tlic Mexican War, and as Colonel Vjtndever, 
commanded a regiuienl in the late war. lUit I am glad, itltlidiigh I 
feel myself wholly incompetent to discharge the duties assigned to me 
in that satisfactory manner in which I know he would have discharged 
them, and without an opportunity to collect and formulate my thoughts 
upon the sentiment of this toast and I beg your pardon while I re- 
spond to it as best 1 can. General Winfield Scott is a man whose name 
well {"dorns the historic page of his country, animated by the spirit of 
patriotism and chivalry characteristic of the nation to which he be- 
longed. He selected as his calling in life that of a soldier, ar.d in doing 
80, subsequent events shovved that the selection made w;is a wise and a 
judicious one. During the war of 1812 he achieved a fame that enab- 
led him as scarcely any other man did to fill the popular eye of the 
people of his country and the fame he achieved during that war put 
him at the head of the Army of the United States. And when, as a 
result of the Mexican war, and as one of the consequences perhaps flow- 
ing from it the war of the rebellion began, he still occupied the high- 
est military position in the country. His achievements during the war 
with Mexico added already to his great fame. His nnrcli from Vera 
Cruz to the City of Mexico is one of the grandest military achievements 
in the annals of history, (Loud cheers) one that would have done credit 
to Wellington or to Napoleon. I recollect when I was a soldier boy, 
carrying my knapsack and my musket up the Rio Grande, that the 
great questiv^n of discussion among the soldiers on Taylor's line was 
the possibility of taking the fortifications about Vera Cruz. It was 
thought that the fort of San Juan De Ulloa was utterly and wholly im- 
pregnable and that the taking of it would be but little short of the per- 
formance of a military miracle. But it was but a few days after Scott 
landed his gallant army upon the shores of the gulf until it surrendered 
to the powers of our arms and to the genius of Scott, and his march from 
Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico as I have already said was an 
achievement of which not only Scott himself but of which his country- 
men may well be proud because his history is a part and parcel of 
their heritage. My friends I do not projjose to enter into detail. At 
the conclusion of the Mexican war, General Scott still continued at 
the head of the Army of the United States and when the rebellion 
broke out the great duty devolved upon him in his advancing age to 
organize our forces for the coming conflict. The Inst that I ever saw 



— 23 — 

of General Scott was as I saw him laying in his tent upon Arlington 
Heights in the Lee grounds marshalling the hosts oi the United States 
for the coming conliict which was then inevitable. Hut feeling the 
weiglit of age pressing upon liim and that he did not possess that 
physical vigor which would enable hiJii to discharge the duties of the 
responsible position which were thrust upon him and to meet the great 
exigency which was upon tiie country, he suggested to the President of 
the United Siates that a younger and more active man be put at i\\e 
head of the ar uy and with becoming modesty he rehires from the com- 
mand of the Army of the United States and surrendered it to younger 
men of more vigor and possessed of greater acUvities than he felt 
himself to possess. Now my friends this is the first re-union of the sol- 
diers of the Mexica)! war that it has ever been my pleasure to attend 
and 1 feelthat it is good for me to be here. I feel that my spiritual 
strength, my love of country, my patriotism, my hopes and anticipa- 
tions for the future are enlarged and invigorated, and following the 
line of thought suggested by the distinguished gentlemun from Ken- 
tucky who addressed us tliis evening, 1 desire to submit a few sug- 
gestions to you, not in any partisan sense, but let that flag of which we 
are all so proud and which to the intelligent American citizen means 
so much — let it be interpreted, let it be understood, let it be kncwn 
what it means and what it symbolizes — the power of sixty millions of 
civilized and cliristianized people, occupying the highest position in 
the scale of being on the face of the earth. Let us preserve it. Let us 
make it symbolize and represent not only til 3 Union of tlie States, not 
only the power of the organized mass of the whole people of the 
United States, but let us in ike it r3pres3nt still more. Let those star^ 
resting in that blue field reflect another and a brigiiter star than eitiier 
or all of them — the Star of Bethlehem. Let it be the represen- 
tative of the Christian sentiment and of the Christian civilization of 
our people. Mr. Gladstone never said a wiser or a better thing than 
he said the other day, when he said that the teaching of Christ and his 
Apostles furnished the panacea for all ills, whether individual or State. 
And let it be the re[)resentative of our Christian civilization of tlie best, 
the highest, the purest and the most consecrated sentiments of our 
people. With it the future of our government is assured. (Loud 
cheers.) 

General Malilon I). Manson responded to the following toast: 

"The ^Mexican War: The practical ■school in which Grant and McClelland and 
Meade, and Hancock, and ThoniMS, and Buell learned the v.n of war." 

General Manson. 
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Companions of the Grand Army o ' 
the Bepublic and Soldiers of the Mexican War: 

Although I have frequently had occasion to address my fe !. •.. 



citizens I ap|)e;ir before you this evening somewhat embarrassed, es- 
pjoially after the m igniHcient speeclies that you have heard this »'ven- 
ing--:>oiue of them carefully prepared. I feel embarrassed as I appear 
before yon without any speech except what may suggest itself to me on 
this occasion. This is a great occasion for the soldiers of the Mexican 
war an 1 you iiava doDj us, in this granl city of .\lc. Vernon, great 
honor. I feel that [ ought to be able to say more than I can in relation 
to tho m I'jfniticont display that we have seen this day. M'.. Vernon 
is always beaHtifnl but on this day she had her Sunday clothes on 
(laughter) and with, all the reunions 1 have seen in the dili'erent states 
of the union, National and State — and for seventeen years 1 have been 
working in this matter — I have seen no demonstration in any of the 
States that excel the beautiful decorations of this city to-day. I feel 
that I would be glu I to invoke the aid of tiiat Divine Power, '*He who 
did inspire, Isaiahs hallowed lips with fire" to speak as I feel on the 
03C.ision. I h iv-.» b3i.Mi called upon to speak to the toast of the Mexican 
war as being the eJnsatorof certain geatlemen and to that I will en- 
deavor to speak a short time, in 18()0 we heard threats of disunion 
and of war and whin the people of tlie United States elected in a con- 
stitutional jnanner that great and gjod man, Abraham Lincoln, (great 
cheering) certain men in the vSouthern States made that a pretense for 
war. But We could not feel that there would be a war. We felt 
there was too niucii intelligence, too much patriotism in the people of 
the South to go to war without a just cause. With all the threats, like 
the distant muttering of the thunder that precedes a storm it came; and 
when the sad news was telegraphed over the country that the American 
Hag had been tired upon and that the blood of American citizens had 
been shed upon American soil, oh what a shock that was to all Ameri- 
can citizens, to all patriotism, and love of country in the United 
States. After the first shock the President of the United States called 
on the different States for 75,000 men to put down the rebellion. All 
hearts were roused. In the East, in the North, and especially in the 
mighty West; in the great State of Pennsylvania, and the great mag- 
nificent State of Ohio, that is only 103 years since she first had a set- 
tlement — now with a population of more than 3,0)'), 00) of intelligent 
virtuous and intellectual people; in the gre it Stiti of In liin i, in 1 in 
the great State of Illinois with Wisconsin and Michigan. Who was it 
that first f)ushed forward the Hag of the country? Who })icked it up 
and bore it aloft until they had the proud satisfaction of seeing it wave 
in everlasting triumph and glory over all the vStates, of every moun- 
tain and every valley in this broad Union? (Loud cheers.) The good 
Stale of Pennsylvania— and I speak of this for the purpose of showing 
what the Mexican war has done — in the State of Peiinsvlvania the 



iirst men thai took hold, oiganized regiments and companies were the 
.soldiers of the Mexican war. Look at John Garey, look at John Pat- 
terson, and ahove all look at Dick Coulter, fighting Dick 
of Pennsylvania. Look at Capt. Miller; all these men went in. And 
in the State ot Ohio we hnd the soldiers of the Mexican war pushing 
forward the flag of their country. In this place we had General Mor- 
gan, a grand soldier of the Mexican war, and a grand soldier in the 
Civil war, a grand legislator and an honest man. I had the i)leasure 
to serve with Jiim in the Councils of the Nation audi say to you that it 
is my deliberate opinion that he was worth his weight in gold, (great 
applause.) We have others of our men and there is not a single sol- 
dier of fho Mexican war that was able to bear arms but was in the war 
from this State. The influence of Ohio spread way across the plains 
and over the Nevada mountains, I know of seven or eight regiments 
that were commanded after the start by men who served in the Mex- 
ican war from this State. 

This is nearly my State now by adoption, for I never viJl forget 
the grand State that gave me birth, the great and glorious 
Slate of Ohio. Bat in the State of Indiana, the proportion of the sev- 
enty five thousand men was less than five thousand and the great and 
patriotic war governor, Morton, called upon the citizens of the State 
for a sufficient number of men to make six regiments. We commenced. 
We had five regiments from Lidiana in the Mexican war; so we com- 
menced numbering our regiments from the point arrived at during the 
Mexican war. W^e commenced numbering our legin.ents at that point 
and therefore the first regiment that was organized was called the 6th, 
then the 7th, then the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th. * * * All honor to the 
soldiers who commanded these regiments, these men who had defended 
the flag of their country on a foreign soil. They did not desert it but 
stood by it and set an example of patriotism worthy of the nation to 
follow. ■•■ •■■• * I have no criticisms to make on Ctneial Scott or 
anybody else, for] consider General Scott the grandest man of all time. 
He surely is the greatest military man that America has produced — 
great like the oceauj whether in storm or in calm. He was the great 
child of nature. General Grant was with Scott and he then gave the first 
indication of the military genius which so greatly distinguished him in 
afterlife, and Grant says himself in his memoirs that his service in tlie 
Mexican war was of great advantage to him. The experience he got 
there, the knowledge he got of the men A\ho belonged to the regular 
army and who went into the rebellion — and he speaks especially of 
Longstreet, of Albert Sydney Johr.eon, Joseph Johnson and some 
others — was of the greatest service to him. Ihe knowledge that he 
got of these men that had been educated at West Point and who served 



-2G^ 

with liim in Mexico was of great iiioriient. The Mexican sokliers that 
were in the South as a general thing went with tlie South and 1 don't 
desir.e to criticise them now more than I woukl criticise tlie i»eoj»le. IMiey 
merely represented the people among whom they lived. We did the 
same. We thought we were right. The war was a (piestion of labor 
and disguise it as we will slavery was the cause of the war. I knov 
nothing abotit General Meade's history. I know but very little abo'it 
McClellan in the Mexican war and very little about (ieneral Buell al- 
though they were the grandest commanders of our army in the rebell- 
ion. But they aregone! They have all gone! It was eloquently and for- 
cibly said that General Morgan, the precious treasure that you have 
got in this good county of Knox (great cheering) of all the States 
and all the States in the United States that sent men to the Mexican 
war, he is the ony living General of that army. You know him, he is 
your son and he belongs to you. It is a sad thought for us 

to feel that our Commanders are all gone except Morgan and that he 
soon will follow. I hope and trust that this, my native State will always 
have glorious sons as she has had heretofore to vindicate her and her 
citizens on every battle-field for the maintenance of Constitutional 
liberty and that she will always have beautiful daughters as you have 
here this evening and as you have had iieretofore to vindicate the vir- 
tue and intelligence of your women, ((ireat applause.) 

H. H. Greer Esq : 

The next sentiment is : "The IGth Annual Reunion of the Ohio 
Veterans of the Mexican War." Every })art of Ohio is rich in intellec- 
tual culture, in patriotism, in manly determination, posessing in every 
nook and corner of the great State eloquent voices that are capable of 
responding to the finished sentiment that should rouse the sympathetic 
cord of patriotism in every loyal heart. We have here a gentle- 
man who will instruct you. who will give you sentiment on this toast 
that will arouse that feeling of patriotism which is common to those 
who have experienced jiatriotic devotion on the field of battle. I have 
the pleasure of introducing to you President A. J. K(^bertson. 
President A. J. Kobertson. 

The subject assigned to me has been made barren. Ninety odd 
veterans concluded this morning — some of them last night — that they 
were all assigned to this toast and they have been making speeches all 
day in my presence in favor of the sixteenth annual celebration. Now 
there is little left for me to do, but tiiere is one little matter, a few 
reminiscences, that 1 have called to mind. About seventeen years ago 
next coming June, a poor old man without a coat on came to my 
shop where I was at work and sat down tired. 1 gave hini his dinner 



-27 - 

that day and he told me his story. He said it was talked of that 
if the matter was stirred up about the Mexican War he believed such 
men as he could be helped. He had been spending the winter in the 
infirmary of my own county. I heard his story, and although that was 
one of tlie greatest wars in the world's history, I had forgotten that I 
was a part of it, not having any one to talk to about it. We agreed upon 
a time to liave a meeting at Troy, Miami county, and I told him to notify 
the people round about. Some he had named and he said he would go 
to Darkey county, and he would seethe people in Miami county, and we 
got together a month or so after that. The meeting was called, ard there 
was at that meeting seventeen men, and really, while I enjoy all these 
meetings, I enjoyed that meeting better than any other because it 
awakened ideas. There was some real good talking among the seven- 
teen men. They seemed to have recollected past events better than I 
did. Well, then I and two other men were put on tlie Committee to call 
a State meeting in December. We had a State meeting. I labored con- 
siderably to get it up. 1 went to Cincinnati Jind invited George Pugh lo 
come up. He was engaged in the practice of law and could not come, 
but (leneral Tom Ewing was there and we had an excellent meeting at 
Dayton, and from that day to this' these re-unions have been increasing 
in interest. Some of them have been poorly attended but wheii-I see the 
result this evening, this gathering of men full of years, yet full of earnest 
vigor and earnest desire to meet again next year, I feel fully repaid 
I am proud of the work that was commenced so feebly but has grown to 
bring such results as I have seen to-day. Now so far as the talking 
about things that we find liere in this beautiful city I don't think there 
is anything left for me to say. General Denver has told you all the 
beauties better than I conld tell it. Why I cannot give it, it is be- 
yond my measure. But, that I have enjoyed it with all my comrades 
is a beautiful fact that we will take with us, and we will remember this 
day as having given us the best treatment of any city in these fifteen 
years last past. (Great applause.) 

H. H. Greeh, Esq; 

"Our dead comrades!" Greatness of character, loyalty and devotion 
to principle and right are not acquired except through inherent worth. 
A gentlaman whose heart is warmed with the loyal blood of revolu- 
tionary heroes; a man whose eminent services to the great comjiion- 
wealth of Ohio, whose distinguished services in all the various depart- 
ments and avocations of life; I cannot command language sufficiently 
strong to express the sentiments and feeling that animate my heart. A 
gentlemen who in early boyhood went out from home in defense of right 
at the early age of sixteen; then again in 1846, rendering services in the 
Mexican war that have distinguished him the world over. A gentle- 



man (vf reliiied culture, who has rei)resente(l lliis ^M-cat Nation abroad 
in fnreign Courts; who lias distinguished iiiinself in other lands; who 
brings to us fame richly earned and merited by great and distinguished 
services; ])rompted by a generous, loyal, true heart. And ujion the 
battle-field of Mexico in the numerous engagements in which he waf^ 
the master spirit he rendered great and valuable services. By his sa- 
gacity, his loyalty, his bravery, his intrei)id determination to succcetly 
he carried alott the Banner of his country, and has made his name 
known and honored throughout the length and breadth of tliis great Re- 
{)ublic. Services not only rendered in that war but in the late civil war 
the services he rendered his country have madefor him a wuriu place in 
every loyal heart in the Nation. A man who has with equal fame distin- 
guished himself in the Councils of the Nation, whose eloquent voice has 
ever been heard in defense of human freedom; and althongh his hair may 
now be streaked with silver a little earlier in life than it otherwise would 
have been but for his arduous services, we are assured that in the further 
advance of life these gray hairs will be for him a crown of glory. 
In this crown that he has made for himself one of the brightest, 
richest jewels therein set is the purity of an unspotted private life. A 
gentleman, who by the depth and warmth of his loyal heart, by the 
richness of his recollections and by the eloquence of his masterly 
tongue will call back to your presence the comrades who have depart- 
ted, and you will hear their voices and feel their sympathies, enjoy 
their patriotism and devotion. 

I have now the distinguished honor, and the very great pleasure, 
not of introducing, for he needs no introduction to an American au- 
dience, but I have the very great pleasure of j)resenting to you our dis- 
tinguished Oeneral, our true, loyal citizen and kind neighlwr, our gen- 
erous, warm friend. General George W. Morgan, (Great cheering.) 
Gen. George W. Morgan. 

"Our dead comradesi" Such is the sentiment to which T am 
called to res])ond. 

But, "our dead comrades" are not deadi They live in our hearts 
tonight, and will live in our hearts forever! The thing called death, is 
the birth of immortality; the ])ortal to undying life. 

In all ages; among all peoples, savage and civilized, there exists, 
and has always existed the belief that in T*aradise there is an Elysium 
for soldiers. The Arab, the Cossack and the Tartar dream of the fleet 
coursers which, in that mystic land, fly across arid plains, dotted over 
with fountains which laugh and sparkle amid the oasis of the desert. 
And the untamed and untamable Indian of our own Continent, dies 
singing his ^vild death-song, with the conviction that he is going to the 
Ininting grounds of his fathers, in the far-away spirit land. But the 



-29 — 

Cossack, the Tartar, the Arab and the Indian occupy but a small place, 
in the Elysium fields, for there is no limit, and no measure for in- 
finity. 

lomini, the great strategist, and military historian, in his prologue 
to the life of Napoleon, tells us that on the fifth day of May, eighteen 
hundred and twenty one, Elysium was suddenly clouded over. Vivid 
flashes of electric light and hurricanes burst from all the skies of all the 
universe and thunderous clouds crashed together and exploded, as 
though all nature was tumbling into chaos. 

Alexander, Caesar, and Frederick hastened from their bivouacs to 
the shore of Acheron, and beheld Charon in his magic boat with a 
single spirit for his cargo steering for Elysium, They asked him to ex- 
plain the cause of the great disturbance, and he told them that the great 
Napoleon had just passed through the portal of death to eternal life; 
that the birth pang had convulsed all nature, and ttirown the world 
from off its balance. 

And-tonight, while we are exchanging our joyous greetings, Scott, 
and Taylor, and Wool and Worth, with our other comrades who have 
advanced before us are amid the groves and glens and vales of Para- 
dise, awaiting our arrival, and one by one as we cross the Acheron, we 
will be welcomed by the loved chieftains, under whose command our 
armies marched, and fought, and conquered in the far-off land of Mex- 
ico. (Great applause.) 

H. H. Greer Esq : 

"The only surviving General of the Mexican War." 

We have a distinguished gentleman who is familiar with the his- 
tory of that war, and whose heart is thoroughly aroused to all the 
tender sensibilities that moves an honest, great heart. Judge DeWitt 
C. Loudon will respond to this sentiment. 

Judge Loudon. 
Ladies and Gentlemen: 

1 want to say before I begin : I have one excellent thing in my 
speeches, they are always very short — excellent qualities this time of 
night. I join with you in the regret which you all feel because of the 
unavoidable absence of the distinguished and eloquent gentleman whom 
you expected to respond to the toast that has been read in your hear- 
ing. I sympathize with you in the loss you have sustained in being 
constrained to listen to the one who is to take his place. But the 
lesson we all learned in military matters was, prompt and unquestion- 
ing obedience. This is the first duty of the soldier, and so I have 
accepted this without hesitation or apology. 

You will observe, my comrades, that the person meant by the 



toast is not named. Those of yon who are fariiilinr with tin- histdry of 
tlie Mexican War — those wlio remember the roll of brave and skilfnl 
generals who led the American armies in that war, and have since 
joined the illustrious dead — the name will readily suggest itself. For 
the benefit of those who are not familiar with these things, if any such 
there be, let me mention the name of my old comrade and commander, 
my father's friend and mine — George W. Morgan. 

I would that it were in my power to express in fitting and approjtriate 
words the emotions that arise in the hearts of all his surviving com- 
rades at the mention of that name, a name that has passed into his- 
tory — the steadfast soldier, the loyal citizen and the honest gentleman. 
(Loud cheering) I am not here my comrades, to give to you his biog- 
raphy or talk about his achievements in the presence of his conirndes 
and fellow-citizens. This wouhl be a work of supererogation. What 
he is you know, what he has done is enrolled in the Capitol to be read 
of all men as a part of the history of our common country. And so my 
comrades, I shall spare the modesty of my old commander, wliich is 
e(iii-illed by his merit, and forbear to bring to your attention the par- 
ticular case, circumstance and instance which might otherwise be men- 
tioned. It happened to him as it happens to all to be born into this 
world, but it also happened to him as it does not happen to all to l)e 
born of that strong, tenacious, patient, stock which redeemed the wild- 
erness and bore the ark of liberty through the red sea of revolution. 
No wonder that one so descended should be found in the ranks of liis 
country's defenders when her honor was assailed. (Loud cheers.) Not 
the least valuable part of the services he has rendered to bis fellow citi- 
zens and his country is the part he took as a Member of the Councils of 
our nation in times of trouble and peril. Jt is but just to say of our 
commander and comrade that in this service as in the Military service 
he was faithful to the trust reposed in his hands. He and 1 have not 
always voted the same ticket and great men have voted difierently to 
what 1 have voted, but that is not politics 1 hope. I want to say to 
you for some time past— and some time to come — I have been entrusted 
with the administration of criminal justice and if any of you should be 
indicted for voting for George W. Morgan you won't be fined much in 
my Court, (Laughter and Cheers) for 1 know it is safe to trust a man 
who has proved himself a faithful, brave and loyal soldier. I know 
that you will all join with me in wishing for the continued life and 
prosperity of our honored comrade and commander. Fortunate beyond 
the common lot, he has attained his three score years and ten. " His 
eye is not dim and his natural force is not abated." Long may he en- 
joy a serene and (piiel old age and look upon the blessings that bis 
faithful labors have assisted to confer on his fellow citizens surrounded 



31 



by lov^e, honor, obedience and troops of friends. Far distant be the 
day when it shall be said there is no surviving general of the Mexican 
War. Enthusiastic cheering.) 



General Albert Pike was expected to respond to the next toast, 
"The Supreme Potencies of a great Kepublic. May they always be 
those of the United States." The gallant General was however unable 
to be present, and therefore sent the following letter and poem: 

Washinoton, March, 31, 1890. 
Mr. J. C. Gordon, 

Dear Comrade: — I should esteem it a great honor, and know it would 
be a great pleasure to meet the Ohio veterans of . the Mexican war at 
their assembly in May, to take them by the hand and fix their faces in 
my memory so that 1 might see them at pleasure after parting with them. 

But I am now over eighty years of age, made sick by very 
little fatigue and liable to dangerous attacks of illness without previous 
warning so that it is not safe for me to go far from home. 

I am forbidden, therefore, to cherish the hope or entertain the in- 
tention of taking a journey to Mt. Vernon in May, great as the 
inducement is, and strong as the temptation is, to do so. 

Please thank your Committee, in my behalf for its courteous and 
kind invitation, and assure the Veterans that I deeply regret my ina- 
bility to be with them, and to speak to them as I should like to do, of 
what I heard and saw and knew, while serving under the old Flag in 
Mexico. In the spirit of true comradeship, yours and their friend, 

Albert Pike. 

'•The Supreme Potencies of a great Republic. May they always be 
those of the United States." 

When shall the Nations all be free, The Ancient Empires staggering 

And Force no longer reign? drift 

None bend to brutal Power the knee, Along Time's mighty tide. 

None lug the gilded chain? Whose waters, running broad and 

No longer rule the ancient wrong, swift, 

The weak be trampled by the strong? Eternity divide. 

How long, dear God in Heaven, how How many years shall pass, before 

long Over their bones the Sea shall war, 

The people wail in vain. The salt sand drift, the fresh rains 

pour. 

Do not the archangels on their thrones The stars mock fallen pride? 

Turn piteous looks to Thee, 

When round them throng the The issues are with God:— To do 

prayers and moans Of right belongs to us. 

Of those who would be free? Mav we be ever just and true. 

Of those who know they have the For Nations flourish thus. 

right Justice is mightier than ships; 

To Freedom, though crushed down Right, than the cannon's brazen lips; 

by might And Truth, averting dark eclipse, 

As all the world hath to the Light Makes fortune provSperous. 
And air which Thou mad'st free? 



The proceedings were brought to a close by an elO(juent an«l 
humorous response to tlie toast of "The Ladies" by Corporal McFadin. 

INCIDENT OF THE REUNION. 

The ladies accompanying their husbands and fathers in attendance 
assembled in the parlor of the Curtis House on the afternoon of the 
8th and mauy of the veterans called upon them to pay their respects. 
There was never u more agreeable social reunion in the lives of many 
of those who participated, and after general conversation, two of the 
young ladies joined in a musical interlude, Miss Robertson, of 
Sidney, Ohio, daughter of Col. A. J. Robertson, President of the Ohio 
State Association, sang with pleasing effect "Around the Camp Fire,"ac- 
companied on the piano by the beautiful and accomplished Miss Kate 
Denver, of Wilmington, Ohio, daughter of (ien. James W. Denver, 
President of the National A.ssociation. 

The applause which followed was interrupted by the venerable 
(General Manson, of Indiana, who voiced the enthusiasm of the meet- 
ing by oflering a resolution that Miss Kate Denver and Miss 
Robertson be declared by adoption "Daughters of the National Asso- 
ciation of Mexican War Veterans." The suggestion was greeted with 
hearty applause. A member proposed to amend by calling the ladieg 
"daughters of the Ohio Veterans," but Ge*!!. Manson insisted that they 
should be entitled to the fatherly care of all surviving Mexican Vet- 
erans, and called on Secretary Kenaday to make note of the event. By 
unanimous vote the young ladies were duly enrolled as pioneers of 
the new order, and Miss Kate Denver with a charming display of emo- 
tion accepted the honor and promi.sed filial affection to her many gal 
lant fathers fis in dutv loviiui. 



-33 — 

I3:E^^x)Q,TJ.^I^T:E:E^s 

OHIO ^ STATE # ASSOCIATION 

Of MEXICAN \A/AR VETERANS. 



Mt. Vernon, O., May 9, 1890, 

WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE 10 A, M. 

The Association was called to order by Andrew J. Eobertson, Pres- 
ident ; Rev. J. H. Hamilton, of the Methodist Protestant Church, 
opened with prayer. Reading of the ruinutes of last Reunion at New- 
ark, Ohio, May 8 and 9. 1889, by James H. Smith, Secretary, and on 
motion, approved. Miss Nellie Robertson then sang "Veterans in 
Mexico" with Miss Catharine Eenver presiding at the piano. On mo- 
tion a Committee on Organization was superceded by a motion to 
continue the old Board another year, which was approved by a 
unanimous vote. On motion it was agreed to place Leonard Guth, of 
Sandusky, on the list as Vice President, to fill a vacancy occasioned by 
the removal to Europe of Comrade Albert J. Dewaldt. 

The report of the Treasurer was read and approved. 
TREASURER'S REPORT. 

To balance due Treasurer at close of 15th Reunion |22 15 

" Letter Heads and Envelopes .. . 4 00 

" Postage $5.00 ; Express on flags to and from State Capital 70c 5 70 

•' Salary of Secretary and Treasurer 80 00— $61 85 

By donations at Mt. Vernon 59 75 



8 2 10 

Committee on Resolutions. — De Witt C. Loudon. Moses R. Dickey, 
Wm. Smith, John H. Rendigs, Milton Jamieson. 

Resolved, That the hearty thanks of this Association be tendered 
to the citizens of Mount Vernon for the splendid hospitality and gen- 
erous reception which they have extended to us at this meeting. 

Rvsolved, That the President of this Association shall hereafter 
appoint on the first day of our meeting, out of the members present. 
Committees on Organization, Place of Meeting and Resolutions, and 
said committees be notified and make their report at the business meet- 
ing held on the second day of our meeting. 

Resolved, That the General Assembly of the State of Ohio in 
authorizing the publication in book form of the complete roster of all 
regiments or parts of regiments furnished by Ohio in the War with 
Mexico and in the War of the Rebellion, deserve the thanks of the 
whole people. W^e would suggest to the Roster Commission of the 
State to accept the invaluable record collated by Capt. James H. Smith, 
of Newark — the Secretary of this Association — being the postoffice 
address of all veterans now living; and the date and place of death of 
all who have died since muster-out in 1846-7-8, with the postoffice 
address of the widoAv and the part each veteran took in the War of 
the Rebellion, and would refer same to the next session of our Legis- 
lature for proper remuneration. 



-3^ — 

lit, it Re!<olced, Tliut it is with profound sorrow and regret that we 
have learned of the sudden death of Mrs. Charles Beehtol, and we 
tender to our comrade, her hushand, and to her children, our sincere 
condolence in their great aliiiction. 

The Death List sii>ce 2-jth Annual Reunion at Newark, Ohio, May 
8ih and 9th, 1889, was read and approved. 

General Morgan introduced the ([uestion of compiling the iiistory 
of the several Ohio Regiments in the Mexican War. After some dis- 
cussion it was agre^l tliat the historians should l>e as follows, and that 
the histories should he immediately prepared : 

First Regiment, Ciiilton A, White; Second Kegiment, General 
George W. Morgan ; Third Regiment, Major J. S. Love; Fourth 
Kegiment, Charles N. Allen; Fifth Kegiment, Milton Jamieson. 

General Morgiin also agreed to compile the history of the Fif- 
teenth Infantry. 

OF Tilt: 
VETERANS OF THE STATE OF OHIO, WHO SERVED IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 



To fhe Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress 
Aasemhled • 

The Ohio Veterans of the Mexican War on this, the 44th anniver- 
sary of the victories achieved by Zachary Taylor on the fields of Palo 
Alto and Kesacea de la Palma, have learned, with sorrow and regret, 
that while the National Cajjitol is everywhere ornamented with splendid 
monuments to military heroes, one may look in vain for a cenota})h to 
Zacharv Tavlor, than' whom the Republic has produced no braver or 
more skilful' General. Therefore this Association at this, its largest re- 
union, respectfully asks Congress to do justice to the memory of 
Zachary Taylor, and to his surviving comrades-in-arms, by causing to 
be erected to his memory a monument worthy of his great deeds, and 
of the glory of the Kei)ublic. 

Signed by the President and Secretary of the State Association of 
the Ohio Veterans of the Mexican War, this <)th day of May, 18!)(). 

A. J. KOBEKTSON, President: 
J AS. H. SMITH, Secretary. 

Attest : 

JAMES W. DENVER, 
Pt^esident of National AKSOciation of Veterans of the 3IexieanWar. 



The following-names of Honorary Members should have ai^peared 
on page li : 

Hon. Leckey Harper, Colonel Charles F. Baldwin. Wm. I. Bald- 
win, W^m. M. Harper and Charles lams. 



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